Are mistakes made on birth certs?

[coombs]

Interesting.

[mongojoby]

My own birth ceritifcate, contains an error on it.  My Dad put my Mum's place of birth as the very small village where she lived throughout her childhood, when in fact she was born in a neighbouring town's hospital (presumably because he was born at home, he just assumed she was born at home too).   

Although it may not be a particularly important inaccuracy, the fact I believed she was born in that village, until I started researching my family history, just goes to show how easy it is to mistake a well placed bit of fiction for fact.

[acorngen]

The 1836 Registration Act stated;

" every Registrar shall be authorized and is hereby required to inform himself carefully of every Birth and every Death which shall happen within his District after the said First Day of March, and to learn and register soon after the Event as conveniently may be done, without Fee or Reward save as herein-after mentioned,"


It was left to his discretion to employ such lawful means of informing himself as appeared to be best, but he had to employ some means. He would most likely have referred to people such as doctors, midwives, undertakers etc. that would have knowledge of any birth or death in his district.

Stan

And that is still the case today although now the maternity unit have to inform the registrar of births.  The difference between the 1836 act and todays as I see it is the fact that it is now the parents responsibility to attend the registrar and not the other way around

Rob

[stanmapstone]

It was the 1874 Act that made it the responsibility to attend the registrar
1, In the case of every child born alive after the commencement of this Act, it shall be the duty of the father and mother of the child, and in default of the father and mother, of the occupier of the house in which to his knowledge the child is born, and of each person present at the birth, and of the person having charge of the child, to give to the registrar, within forty-two days next after such birth, and in the presence of the registrar to sign the register.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~framland/acts/1874Act.htm


Stan

[coombs]

As Stan said I think from 1837 to 1874 the registrar got wind of new births in the district by word of mouth from doctors, nurses and midwives.

One weird thing is the birth cert of my great, great, great uncle Frederick Goodacre Roberts in 1860. The birth cert has his father as Thomas Roberts, Footman of 16 West Hill Street, Brighton, which ties in with the 1861 census with his wife Esther Roberts. Frederick died just before the 1861 census in March 1861. He was baptised in June 1860 son of Thomas and Esther Roberts of 16 wets Hill Street but his birth cert says his mum was Ellen Roberts formerly Bridgeman? I have been unable to trace any mention of her in censuses, etc, so I suppose it is just human error.

[kathb]

Yes, there is one on my marriage certificate from 1975.  Must admit I didn't notice for about a year.  It gives my fathers occupation as Company Director - I am sure he wished he was, he was an chemical worker!!
I can only assume that the couple who married one hour before us also have an incorrect occupation on their certificate.
Hey Ho
Regards
Kathb

[Oaks and Acorns]

My own birth ceritifcate, contains an error on it.  My Dad put my Mum's place of birth as the very small village where she lived throughout her childhood, when in fact she was born in a neighbouring town's hospital (presumably because he was born at home, he just assumed she was born at home too).   

Not sure this is an error. Aren't all births registered as the home address of the mother?

Dara.

[Redroger]

My wife's birth certificate had her born two days late. A correction was later apended to the certificate. Apparently when registering the birth he was so excited he gave the wrong date! When her brother was born it was her mother who registered the birth!

[stanmapstone]

Not sure this is an error. Aren't all births registered as the home address of the mother?

Dara.

The certificate has in column 1 "When and Where Born"
The birth is registered at the address where it actually took place, which could a hospital or the address of a neighbour or relative.
Stan